First black female Muslim judge in the U.S, found dead in a river

Sheila Abdus-Salaam, was found dead in the Hudson River, just a mile from her central Harlem home. She was 65. Police responded to a 911 call about a woman in the water of the Hudson around 1:45 p.m Wednesday.

They found an unconscious and unresponsive woman, who was later pronounced dead and identified as Abdus-Salaam. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death and the incident is under investigation.

Police sources said there were no signs of obvious trauma or injuries indicating foul play. Abdus-Salaam was not only the first female Muslim judge in the county; she was also the first black woman to be appointed to the Court of Appeals.

Her death came the same week a prominent Chicago judge was killed outside his home. A suspect in that case has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Judge Raymond Myles.